Stem-cell debate hits home for Gaylord family

August 08, 2001|By LISA LAWRASON

"We've seen in this family what devastation is with my mother," said Barbara Goszczynski, Clement's wife. "To become the caregiver to your mother is a very hard thing."

Nana, 84, moved in with Barbara and Clement in their Michayw home about four years ago. The experience has brought home the issue of embryonic stem-cell research, which offers hope to the Goszczynskis that their children mat not have to go through Nana's pain.

Scientists have said further embryonic stem-cell research could lead to cures for a host of diseases, including Alzheimer's.

As Washington lawmakers and President Bush debate federal funding for the research, the Goszczynskis have their own discussions on the issue within their home. Their daughter, Charlene Goszczynski, a registered nurse, recently moved here from South Bend, Ind. and helps care for Nana.

Each of her parent's families carry a history of diseases including, cancer, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and arthritis.

"There's a long-standing history of diseases that (embryonic stem-cell research) could possibly help," Charlene said. "And being a nurse, I have to deal with all these diseases."

Her exposure to those illnesses has helped reinforce Charlene's belief that embryonic stem-ell research must continue - and with federal funding.

"I'm all for it," Charlene said. "Any possible avenue they can use, and this seems the most promising."

Her father agrees. But Clement adds one stipulation: The research should not become a source of revenue. He said the government should fund the research and control the price if a cure is found.

Pointing to the high costs for prescriptions, Clement said he thinks a cure would save society money. He said Nana's prescription for Aricept, a medicine that promises to lessen the effects of Alzheimer's, costs $4.56 per pill. It is taken once a day.

But Barbara isn't so quick to jump on the bandwagon. Her anti-abortion stance has led to her concern about from where the embryos come.

"My personal opinion is that I don't believe in abortion," Barbara said. "But I think we have to start trying to heal and fix these diseases that are devastating to these families."

When she learned the stem cells were taken from fertility clinics where they would have been thrown out, Barbara was comfortable supporting the research.

The Catholic belief that life is sacred from the moment of conception to the natural death reflects the church's position on embryonic stem-cell research, said Bishop Patrick Cooney of the Diocese of Gaylord.

"We would be against the stem-cell research in the embryos and not in adults, because when they take it from adults, they do not damage the adults," Cooney said.

Because extracting stem cells from the embryo kills it, Cooney said embryonic stem cell research violates the church's profession of faith.

"Human life would again lose," he said. "Any time you strike at human life, it lowers the quality of life in the minds of people."

Cooney took the issue further, saying downgrading human life could eventually lead to ending the lives of elderly who were in pain.

The bishop said he also believes the research could turn into a multimillion-dollar industry.

"I personally have a tremendous fear of jumping into things with dollar bills attached," he said.

Bonnie Harlukowicz, New Life Pregnancy Resource Center director, also said she believes life begins at conception. Embryos must be at least six days old when the stem cells are extracted.

Cooney said the Gaylord Diocese has not taken any action to block federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research. But if it gets closer to becoming reality, the diocese could ask members of the Catholic faith to write their representatives.

"It's kind of a question of whether it is in good politics to force the citizens who are against this to support it with their tax money," Cooney said. "It's like taxing us for something that is immoral in our eyes."

Although scientists say embryonic stem-cell research could possibly lead to a cure for some forms of cancer, the American Cancer Society does not support the research. Rosemary Burmeister, president of the local American Cancer Society board, said none of its fund-raising money goes toward embryonic stem-cell research.

"We don't make any moral judgments whatsoever and we feel that's a moral judgment we can't participate in," Burmeister said.

The American Cancer Society does, however, endorse stem cell research when the cells are derived from donated umbilical cords or placentas.

Barbara Goszczynski every day sees the effects of Alzheimer's on her mother. Nana forgets the names of her grandchildren and where the bathroom is. She wants to go to bed at 2 p.m. because she's confused about the time.

Watching their loved one degrade to a state of dependency has been painful for the family. Barbara knows it's too late for stem cell research to offer her mother much help, so she looks to the future.

Said Barbara: "When I found out what was going on with my mom, I assumed there would be a cure by the time it would affect my children."